The Music of Django Reinhardt The Red Hot Django Peppers after 8 years in the Twin Cities are releasing their first debut album. Ryan Picone: Lead Guitar Daniel Lentz: Violin Ian Stenlund: Rhythm Guitar Sean Roderick: Bass The Red Hot Django Peppers are a fiery Twin Cities–based Hot Club band keeping the spirit of Django Reinhardt […]
Tram is a trio featuring Andrew Tomten on saxophone, Matt McIntyre on hybrid guitar, and Toby Ramaswamy on drums. Inspired by the music of Stanton Moore and Charlie Hunter, the group plays a mix of funk-jazz originals as well as interpretations of standards. For this show, vocalist Aby Wolf will join the fray, featuring on […]
Longtime Low bassist and comic artist Zak Sally joins the rhythm section of Roma di Luna (JG Everest, Ryan Lovan, and Ben Durrant) and woodwind artist Matty Harris to perform longform dreamscapes rooted in jazz, noise, indie rock, and free improvisation.
Phil Aaron has been a mainstay in the Twin Cities jazz scene for over thirty years. Phil has recorded five CD’s and has performed with many national and international musicians, including Lee Konitz, Eric Alexander, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jim Rotondi, Jim Snidero, Byron Stripling, Kendra Shank, Evan Christopher, John Fedchock, Jackie Allen and Barbara Morrison. He’s […]
A Special Birthday Celebration! Multi-instrumentalist and multi-award winner Steve Clarke returns to Crooners in celebration of his birthday. His rich and soaring sounds combined with his all-star rhythm section make […]
Bigger Shoe is an original jazz group formed in late 2015 by saxophonists Joe Mayo and Clay Pufahl. Members also include Joey Van Phillips (drums), Matt Peterson (bass), and Dylan Nau (guitar).
"fantastic Django Reinhardt-inspired melodies" - Baby Blue Arts The Red Hot Django Peppers are a fiery Twin Cities–based hot club band. They are devoted to keeping the spirit of Django Reinhardt alive while adding their own spark to the tradition. Also, the group is led by guitarist Ryan Picone, an acolyte of world-renowned guitarist Stéphane […]
At the age of 24, Dale Alexander had a rich and varied musical background than many musicians achieve in a lifetime. Studying with prominent musicians such as Marvin Dahlgren and Dr. Reginald Buckner of the University School of Music served to enhance Dale’s unlimited natural musical talent. He was recognized by the University of Wisconsin […]
Throughout their storied forty-three-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded twenty-six albums, and received sixteen Grammy nominations, winning two. Additionally, they have performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success. The Yellowjackets formed in the late 1970’s as the backup band for guitarist Robben Ford. They recorded their first album together in 1980. Shortly […]
Acclaimed Minneapolis jazz guitarist and composer Cody Steinmann brings his quartet to Berlin as the first stop of his 2026 Midwest tour—right in his hometown. Band Members: Cody Steinmann - Guitar Calvin Caron - Bass Solomon Parham Nick Zuck - Drums ⊹ Jazz88 (KBEM) calls Cody Steinmann "one of the most prolific guitarists in the […]
An Evening of Jazz and Blues Slip into the glow of Blue Nights, with an intimate evening of jazz and blues with the Amy Manette Band. Featuring the sounds of Etta James, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, and more. This show captures the magic of winter evenings: cool, elegant, and full of soul. Amy Manette: Lead […]
Dave Hagedorn is a retired Artist in Residence at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he taught percussion, jazz studies, and world music. In June, 2019, Downbeat magazine awarded St. Olaf Jazz I an Outstanding Performance amongundergraduate large jazz ensembles, and in June, 2011, Downbeat magazine deemed St. Olaf Jazz I to be the […]
The joyful jazz of the Great American Songbook lights up the Wabasha Street Caves (215 Wabasha Street S., St Paul) on Thursday, Jan. 22. All ages welcome. Admission is $10 - $15 with a free swing dance lesson included, 6:15 - 7:00 pm. Let yourself go!
Lomheim/OBrien/Epstein - This piano trio's new disc, "Triage" has the most extraordinary lyricism coupled with a rich and robust expression of melody in every one of their compositions. The interplay of weaving their improvisations has a unity of beauty and emotional intensity that is quite rare in the jazz world. All compositions by Chris Lomheim […]
Jazz, Contempory, and Classic American Songbook For this show, Bernadette will be singing an eclectic mix of new and old jazz arrangements. She will be sharing her own journey of how jazz can be a powerful and positive way to exercise and build social connections through music. The proceeds from this show will go to Fraser, […]
The Mary Louise Knutson Trio featuring Mary Louise at the piano, bassist Dan Carpel, and drummer David Schmalenberger. For decades following its opening in 1935, The Lex, as it’s called […]
Modern jazz from south Minneapolis. Creating and improvising, without worrying about what jazz should be. Big Blue Moon features a flexible lineup around Nick Bhalla’s piano.
Aaron Shapiro will lead a quartet in a set of original works crafted over the past decade in Chicago, each piece shaped by his experiences performing and collaborating throughout the city’s creative music scenes. Band Members: Aaron Shapiro - Guitar Nate Lepine - Saxophone /Flute John Sutton - Bass Tommaso Moretti - Drums ✧ Guitarist […]
Saxophonist, Gus Sandberg, comes to jazz central with this quartet. Featuring: Gus Sandberg - woodwinds Sean Turner - piano Matt McIntyre - bass Reid Kennedy - drums
Halloween, Alaska’s churning, meditative sound neither embodies youth, naivety, anger nor desperation. It’s a unique statement from a veteran band with a persistent cult following and a distinctive indie M.O. Moreover, listeners can hear and feel its influence far beyond its native Minneapolis. In the early ’00s, Halloween, Alaska took root as a semi-electronic diversion […]
Michael O'Brien . Bassist. Composer. Educator Michael O'Brien studied bass under Anthony Cox, and West African and Haitian percussion under Marc Anderson. Michael has been performing and composing for over a decade with such notables as Gene Pitney, Dave King, Jeff Kashiwa, Todd Reynolds, Wessel Anderson, David Binney, The Jazz Mandolin Project, Joel Harrison, Marty […]
Warm up your weekend with a delicious breakfast, camaraderie and festive music! Mega Yacht and Pick, Buttons & Bow will play from 9am-12pm
Bring Your Requests for a Night of FUN Cabaret! Kick off your weekend while you “Laugh The Night Away with Erin and Jay Cabaret”. They will be rounding out your week with some of their all time favorites, and lots of requests from you! Share an intimate night with Erin and Jay in the Dunsmore Room! Up close […]
Known as a “man of great musical imagination,” Bruce Henry is an internationally-known vocalist, composer, storyteller, recording artist and educator. Additionally, Bruce teaches musical history, traditions and culture as he entertains and enraptures audiences with his vocal agility. Anchored in Chicago, with roots in the Twin Cities, Bruce shares his expertise and creativity across the nation and […]
Barlow and his exceptionally gifted ensemble will present an enchanting evening of timeless jazz/R&B classics designed to captivate and invigorate your spirit. Band Members: Nathan Barlow - Lead Vocals Trevor Peterson - Bass Eric Mayson - Keyboard/Vocals Toby Ramaswamy - Drums ⊹ Vocalist Nathan Barlow has played all over the Twin Cities at venues such […]
Hamilton de Holanda is one of Brazil’s most celebrated musicians—a global ambassador, virtuoso performer, and groundbreaking improviser. Picking up the mandolin at the age of five, he redefined the ten-string version of the instrument. Then, he transformed it into a versatile voice that bridges the worlds of jazz, choro, and beyond. The foundation of his music […]
Every Tuesday 5:30-8:30 pm and Every Saturday 6:00-9:00 pm, Mary Louise plays solo at Angelina’s Kitchen, an Italian bistro and wine bar voted Woodbury’s Best Restaurant in 2024. She'll be playing uplifting solo jazz piano as background music for diners, though you could sit at a nearby table or at the bar and enjoy the […]
Painted in the broadest of strokes, the stories of Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez may seem similar. Both started life in Havana, discovered their gifts and passions for music and headed to the United States. There, they melded the music of their homeland with a wide variety of influences, each in their own deeply personal way. Rodriguez was born […]
It was in late 2022 that Jarrod Lawson had the biggest, and most unexpected, thrill of his music career. He had just received a glowing endorsement in print from Michelle Obama, in an Entertainment Weekly interview. When asked who she was listening to, after mentioning Beyonce, added “There’s this young jazz, blue-eyed soul kid Jarrod Lawson that I’m loving.” […]
Nathan Hanson and Erik Fratzke will explore the nooks and crannies of post-structuralist and restructuralist melodies and grooves. Jazz tunes, folk songs, and classic skronk will inform the proceedings. Join us and become familiar with the unfamiliar. Then, Scott Burton and Steve Hirsh will add their instincts to the Fratzke/Hanson ambiance for a second set […]
An Evening of A Cappella and Doo-Wop Get in the mood for Valentine’s Day with The Fairlanes “My Romance” show! Featuring love songs from the ’40s to the ’70s, you’ll take a musical trip down memory lane with the tunes you know and love. Abbie Betinis: Alto John Barrett: Tenor Dave Jacobson: Baritone Bob Peskin: […]
An Evening of Great Guitar Mastery and Bossa Nova! GRAMMY AWARD nominated guitarist Diego Figueiredo is a virtuoso with an infectious, joyful feeling that will leave you amazed and happy. A world-wide Brazilian guitar phenom, experience Diego in an intimate and unencumbered solo concert like you’ve never heard before. Diego Figueiredo: Guitar Diego Figueiredo is an extraordinary […]
Come out to The Driftwood Char Bar (Minneapolis) Thursday to hear the memorable "The Get-Up Mondays" from 7pm-8:30pm. The Saint Paul based The Get-Up Mondays mixes Petty-esque melodies with sing-along lyrics and an electric banjo!
Kavyesh Kaviraj is a critically acclaimed composer, arranger and pianist living and working in Minnesota. The Twin Cities based musician has worked with several internationally renowned artists, including the likes of Wynton Marsalis, David Sanchez, & Steve Cole. He has collaborated with local jazz legends like Debbie Duncan, Bruce Henry, Babatunde Lea, Kevin Washington & […]
Bulldozer School is a boundary-pushing trio featuring bassist and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Cox, drummer Dave King, and saxophonist/electronic artist Brandon Wozniak. The group moves fluidly between original compositions, reimagined standards, and open-ended explorations, blending acoustic and electronic textures with a focus on interaction, nuance, and spontaneity. Cox has performed with artists such as John Scofield, Geri […]
Emmy Award winner and acoustic guitar vanguard. If you don’t know Billy’s music, or what he’s been through to keep making it, this show is a must-see. Acoustic guitar that defies gravity. New solo compositions and exceptionally funny improv dialogue with violin/mandolin maestro Nathan Wilson. Billy McLaughlin: Acoustic Guitar Nathan Wilson: Mandolin and Violin Billy […]
An Evening of Creative Popular Nostalgia In this brand-new show to the Crooners Main Stage, we’ll explore the sonic push and pull that reflects the current state of the world today. From rock to jazz, Latin to old school funk and everything in between. Along the way we’ll find out why its music… music that […]
Jovon Williams uses some of his favorite tunes as a template to express his feelings and visions as an artist: a culmination of hardship and gratitude forged from navigating youth. Band Members: Jovon Williams - Saxophones Tarek Abdelqader - Drums Hans Fuerst - Piano/Keys Ethan Yeshaya - Bass ⊹ Jovon Williams is an up-and-coming legend […]
Colonel Mustard's Mechanical Orchestra is a New Orleans and Balkans styled brass band playing the music of Paul Fonfara. Our repertoire includes cinematic avant spy jazz, tango, klezmer, modern modal takes on traditional Balkans sounds and vintage-esque big band arrangements.
Join us for an unforgettable evening at 318 Cafe as Dizzy breathes new life into the sounds we love. Renowned for putting a new spin on classic jazz, Dizzy honors the legends of the past while carving out a sound that is strictly for the "here and now." Whether you’re a lifelong jazz aficionado or […]
An Evening of Bluegrass, Great Vocal Harmony, and Original Songs The Double Down Daredevils are a 6 piece band playing Bluegrass standards and many original songs as well. The band has been performing together for more than 10 years now and is well known for thier 3 and 4 part harmonies on nearly every song with […]
Manouche-jazz played in the French swing tradition of the 1930’s
Brazilian vocalist Natania and group Ticket To Brasil will bring a playlist of great bossa classics and groovy Brazilian jazz tunes to Crooners' Main Stage on Saturday, January 31st at 7:00 PM Natania Kamin: Vocal Pavel Jany: Guitar John Croarkin: Sax, Flute, Harmonica Ted Godbout: Piano Matt Senjem: Bass Josue Alfaro: Drums, Vocal
Twin Cities vocalists Jennifer Eckes and David Kozisek team up with pianist Adam Baus for an unforgettable night highlighting their favorite songs from the silver screen. Just in time for Hollywood’s awards season, enjoy a fun array of tunes from the Golden Age of movie musicals, animated films, and hit motion picture theme songs of […]
Gospel and blues, melodic sensibility, and honest emotion… Based in Minnesota, with roots in Tennessee, Chastity Brown grew up surrounded by country and soul music. In the gospel church of her childhood, she played saxophone and drums. Also, she found her singing voice and a passion for music. NPR’s “Favorite Sessions,” CMT, American Songwriter, the London Times and Paste Magazine have all featured […]
Martin Dosh and JT Bates have been exploring rhythms in tandem since the turn of the century, drawing from shared influences of all areas of jazz music, pocket drumming, and sampling/collage music. ✧ Growing up in a musical family gave JT Bates an early start into sound and rhythmic exploration. He set on the path […]
A r/evolving jazz combo led by vocalist Sophie Javna, playing reimagined standards, soul and improvisation.
A r/evolving jazz combo led by vocalist Sophie Javna, bringing reimagined standards, soul and improvisation to the Jazz Central Studios stage. Featuring: Sophie Javna - vocals Pete Quirsfeld - drums Steven Hobert - piano Calvin Caron - bass
The Sound of Gospel©, (SOG) a Black History Month celebration presented by 2nd Chance Outreach, shines a light on the artistry, spirituality, and storytelling at the heart of gospel music. People of all ages are welcome to attend this soul-stirring and uplifting staged production that celebrates and honors Black History Month through the soundscape of […]
Live sets by Parisota Hot Club are a melting pot of styles steeped in blues, jazz and ’60’s pop music. Retro noire style movie themes, à la Henry Mancini and others, selections by Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles are standard set features.Familiar melodies, unexpected excursions, and sonic surprises reminiscent of vintage psychedelic Brit-Rock, […]
Best of Straight-Ahead, Brazilian, and Contemporary Jazz This ensemble of veteran musicians combines the best of straight-ahead, Brazilian, and contemporary jazz from such artists as Brad Mehldau, Eliane Elias, Keith Jarrett, Yellowjackets, Wayne Shorter, Bobby McFerrin and more. The trio (Mark Weisberg, Michael Pilhofer, Phil Kadidlo) will interpret these gems in musical conversation with the […]
Donald Harrison, saxophone Billy Harper, saxophone Cecil McBee, bass George Cables, piano Eddie Henderson, trumpet David Weiss, trumpet Billy Hart, drums Experience counts, especially in jazz. The more time musicians spend interpreting tunes and interacting with others, the more articulation an audience can expect. You can hear the fruits of such work in the expressive […]
Resonance: A David Feily Release Residency explores how new music comes alive in real time. On three Sundays in February, live shows will coincide with the release of brand-new recordings from top Twin Cities guitarist David Feily. Each release and corresponding show will highlight Feily as a composer, bandleader, guitarist, and improviser and display how […]
